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COBLATION, derived from the term “Controlled Ablation”, is a patented technology with solutions indicated for ablation, resection and coagulation of soft tissue and hemostasis of blood vessels.
COBLATION technology is a surgical method that precisely removes tissue at the molecular level1,5. By combining low temperature radiofrequency energy with saline, a plasma field is created that enables precise removal of targeted tissue1,5.
COBLATION technology uses bipolar energy to help control the amount of energy and heat delivered to surrounding tissue, minimizing damage as a result, and can be used to perform tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies1,5.
What is plasma?
Plasma, often referred to as the fourth state of matter, is a highly ionized gas. COBLATION technology’s proprietary plasma has the ability to break molecular bonds within tissue, effectively dissolving targeted tissue away and utilizing the wand’s integrated suction to remove dissolved tissue as well as any excess saline1, 6-10.
There are several technologies and techniques to choose from when performing a tonsillectomy. One option is an electrosurgery device, which generates very high temperatures to rupture cells and vaporize tissue, which may cause extensive damage such as burning and charring1-4.
On the other hand, there is COBLATION technology, which, unlike electrosurgery, generates lower temperatures on contacted tissue*1-4. This gives surgeons the ability to precisely remove targeted tonsil tissue while preserving the nearby healthy tissue1-3, 5.
Through the integration of saline delivery and suction, COBLATION technology creates an ideal plasma layer for tonsil and adenoid removal. Each COBLATION wand is equipped with the ability to ablate tissue and coagulate blood vessels, all in one device**1, 6-10.
Contact us
Contact us to learn more about COBLATION technology for tonsillectomy.
No matter how statistically safe a procedure has proven to be, every surgery has risks. Post Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage (PTH) is a potentially serious complication that has been reported in literature for both adult and pediatric patients. It is reported to occur following use of COBLATION devices as well as following the use of other surgical devices and methods. Before making any surgical decision, you should speak with your doctor about any potential risks.
*Compared to monopolar electrocautery; p<0.001
**Compared to monopolar electrocautery, Diode Laser, Cold dissection and Microdebrider
COBLATION wands are contraindicated for use in patients with cardiac pacemakers or other electronic device implants.
- Magdy EA, Elwany S, El-Daly AS, Abdel-Hadi M, Morshedy MA. Coblation tonsillectomy: a prospective, double-blind, randomised, clinical and histopathological comparison with dissection–ligation, monopolar electrocautery and laser tonsillectomies. J Laryngol Otol. 2008;122(3):282 – 290.
- Smith+Nephew 2010. PROCISE LW & MLW, Thermal Measurement and Comparison to CO2 and KTP Laser Systems. Internal Report. P/N 86257 Rev. A.
- Smith+Nephew 2010. PROcise XP Comparative Thermal Measurement Bench-Top Study. Internal Report. P/N 60736-01 Rev. A.
- Smith+Nephew 2017. Coblation Dissection Versus Monopolar Dissection – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Internal Report. P/N 91999.
- Roje Z, Racic G, Dogas Z, Pisac VP, Timms MS. Postoperative Morbidity and Histopathologic Characteristics of Tonsillar Tissue Following Coblation Tonsillectomy in Children: A Prospective Randomized Single-Blind Study. Coll Antropol. 2009;33(1):293 – 298.
- Ahmad MU, Wardak AN, Hampton T, Siddiqui MRS, Street I. Coblation versus cold dissection in paediatric tonsillectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Laryngol Otol. 2020;134(3):197 – 204.
- Mularczyk C, Walner DL, Hamming KK. Coblation versus microdebrider in pediatric adenoidectomy. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2018;104:29 – 31.
- Amin N, Bhargava E, Prentice JG, Shamil E, Walsh M, Tweedie DJ. Coblation Intracapsular Tonsillectomy in Children: A Prospective Study of 1257 Consecutive Cases with Long Term Follow Up. Clin Otolaryngol. 2021;00:1 – 9.
- Carney SA, Timms MS, Marnane CN, Krishnan S, Rees G, Mirza S. Radiofrequency coblation for the resection of head and neck malignancies. Otolaryngol – Head Neck Surg. 2008;138(1):81 – 85.
- Elbadawey MR, Hegazy HM, Eltahan AE, Powell J. A randomised controlled trial of coblation, diode laser and cold dissection in paediatric tonsillectomy. J Laryngol Otol. 2015;129(11):1058 – 1063.